Corset



(No Model.)

M. A. WATERHOUSE.

CORSET.

No. 339,719. Patented Apr. 13, 1886.

'l min. MUM WW II. c

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MARK A. VVATEBHOUSE, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR T0 AI VVATERHOUSE, OF DURHAM, MAINE.

CORSET.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 339,719, dated April 13, 1886.

Application tiled November 20, 1885. Serial No. 183,309.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that l, llIARK A. \VATERHOUSE, of Boston, in the county of Suffolk. State of Massachusetts, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Corsets, of which the following is a description sufliciently full, clear, and exact to enable any person skilled in the art or science to which said invention appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 is an isometrical perspective view of my improved corset with the bustle in its normal position; Fig. 2, a like view, the bustle being represented as extended; Fig. 3, an enlarged perspective view of one of the springs of the bustle detached; Fig. 4, a vertical longitudinal section showing the bustle extended, and Fig. 5 a perspective view showing a modiiication of my improvement.

Like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures of the drawings.

My invention relates to that class of corsets which are provided with bustles; and it con sists in a novel construction and arrangement of the parts, as hereinafter more fully set forth and claimed, by which a more effective and desirable article of this character is produced than is now in ordinary use.

In Letters Patent of the United States No. 290,505, dated December 18, 1883, and No. 321,408, dated June 30, 1885, corsets are respectively shown having bustle attachments which are similar in some respects to that represented in Figs. 1 and 2, my present invention being designed as an improvement on the corsets shown in said Letters Patent.

In the drawings, A represents the body of the corset, and B the bustle. The body opens both at the back and front, and is provided with eyelets h, lacings f, and'clasps J, in the usual manner. The bustle is formed in two sections, the adjoining edges of the sections being provided with eyelets i and laced together by the cord m.

A series of vertically-arranged elongated sheaths, k, are formed in the body of the con set at either side of the opening in the back, said sheaths being preferably long enough to (No model.)

extend downwardly to the waist or smallest part of the body, and having their lower ends open. They may, however, be made slightly longer, as shown in Fig. 2, or slightly shorter, as shown in Fig. 5, if desired.

The bustle consists of a body composed of jean or any other suitable material, each of its sections being provided with one or more elas tic metallic springs, E, which are curved or bent outwardly near their centers, as shown at z, and downwardly, as shown at d, the upper portions or bodies, 1', being adapted to enter the sheaths k on the body of the corset.

The body of the corset is provided with a series of eyelets, t, at either side of the laceopening in its back and below the sheaths It, a corresponding series of eyelets, 1, being inserted in the upper portion of each of the sections 0 Def the bustle B. A lacing string or cord, '0, is inserted in the eyelets Z, said cord also passing th rough the eyelets tin the body A.

In the use of my improvement the body A is put on by the wearer and secured by the clasp J, being previously laced down the back, in the usual manner, by the lacing or cord f. The sectionsO D of the bustle D are then laced together by the cord m, after which the upper portions, 1', of the springs E are inserted in the sheaths k on the body A, and when properly adjusted the bustle is secured to said body by the attachingcord v.

The principal objects of my present invention are to render the bustle readily detachable from the body of the corset and readily adjustable vertically thereon, both of which are accomplished in a manner which will be understood by all conversant with such matters without a more explicit description.

By dividing the bustle into two sections, 0 D, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, it may be adjnsted laterally as well as vertically, and by unfastening the clasp J the corset may be taken off in the usual manner without detaching the bustle from the body A. I do not, however, confine myself to making the bustle in two sections, or to lacing the body of the corset at the back, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, as the body of the bustle may be formed in one piece, or its sections 0 D made integral, and the body A of the corset be laced at the sides, instead of the back, if preferred, as

shown in Fig. 5; neither do I confine myself to the use of a cord and eyelets for securing the bustle in position on the body of the can set, as any other suitable means for that purpose may be employed, if desired, and instead of the lacing-eordsfm 1), any other suitable means of securing the parts to which they pertain may be used.

In the corsets shown in the drawings the bustles are represented as provided with four springs each; but it will be obvious that two or more may be used, if desired, or in accordance with the size and style of the corset. The lower ends, d, of the springs are preferably separated to a greater extent than the central portions, z, or are so arranged as to radiate downwardly from the waist of the body A; but this arrangement of the springs may be varied, if desired.

In constructing the bustle I use thinner or more elastic stays at the center or adjoining the lace-opening than I do at the outer edges, to avoid injuring the spine of the wearer, and render the garment more comfortable. I do not, however, coniinc myself to constructing and arranging the springs in this manner, as they may be made alike or of equal rigidity at the sides and center of the bustle, if preferred.

It will be understood that the upper portion, r, of the spring E bends or yields when in the sheath k, to enable it to conform with the body of the wearer or to the shape of the upper portion of the body A.

It will be obvious that the bustle may be readily detached, and the corset worn with out a bustle, whenever desired; also, that the bustle, when constructed as described, subserves nearly all the purposes of a skirt-supporter.

Having thus explained my invention, what I claim is- 1. In a corset of the character described, the combination of the following instrumentalities, to wit: a body provided with a clasp or other suitable means for securing it to the person of the wearer, and with two or more sheaths disposed at the back of said body and opening downwardly, a bustle provided with upwardly-extending springs adapted to enter said sheaths, and a cord and eyelets or other suitable means for attaching the bustle to the body of the corset, substantially as set forth.

2. In a corset of the character described, the combination of the following instrnmentali ties, to wit: a body provided with aclasp or other suitable means of securing it to the person of the wearer, two or more sheaths disposed at the hack of said body and opening downwardly, a buslle divided vertically into two sections, eyelets and a lacing cord or other suitable means for attaching the two sections of the bustle to each other, two or more springs forming a part of the hustle and adapted to enter said sheaths, and a cord and eyelets or other suitable means for attaching the bustle to the body of the corset, substan tially as described.

3. The improved corset herein described,

the same consisting of the body A. provided with the clasp J, sheaths k. eyelets h, lacing f, and eyelets t, and the bustle 13, provided with the springs E, and eyelets Z and the cord 12, combined and arranged to operate as set forth.

O. A. SHAW, L. J. \VHITE. 

